State controlled produce buyer and seller Admarc has managed to buy 200,000 metric tons of maize out of the targeted 300, 000 metric tons.

Admarc CEO Foster Mulumbe

Admarc general manager Foster Mlumbe’s revelation comes at a time President Peter Mutharika and his DPP-led government have been assuring Malawians that Admarc will ensure adequate maize stocks in its food warehouses to avert a potential food crisis.

Mlumbe doubted if it will be able to buy the targeted 60 000 metric tons of maize direct from farmers because of traders who have invaded villages to buy the maize at much cheaper prices than what Admarc offers.

“These traders have invaded the most rural people to buy the maize so Idoubt if we will buy the 60000 metric tonnes from our farmers,” he said.

He said 150 000 metrictons will be bought from the private traders and the rest will be bought from outside Malawi.

At least 8500 Malawians face starvation this year as maize production is down by 42 per cent due to El Nino powered weather.

Mutharika has assured Malawians that just like last year, no one will die of hunger this year, a statement which opposition say is ‘denial’ as people are biting the dust with hunger-related complications.